Tibetans in Exile Hold Candlelight Vigil in Dharamshala to Mourn Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche

Tibetan exiles held a candlelight vigil in Dharamshala on Friday to mourn the death of revered Tibetan religious leader Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, who reportedly died under suspicious circumstances while in custody in Vietnam.

The vigil was jointly organized by four Tibetan non-governmental organizations. Participants demanded an independent investigation into the incident and called for the Vietnamese government to release Rinpoche’s body to his family.

Lobsang Yangtso, an activist with the International Tibet Network, stated that the vigil was held to honor Rinpoche’s legacy and to demand answers regarding his untimely death. “We believe that Tulku Hungkar Dorje died under suspicious circumstances, likely influenced by Chinese pressure and involvement. We urge the Vietnamese authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and hand over his remains to his family,” Yangtso told ANI.

Nawang Chodon, programme coordinator of Students for a Free Tibet, described Rinpoche as a highly respected spiritual leader and educationist. “He was known for his tireless work to preserve Tibetan identity through education and social service. We are calling for an immediate investigation into his death while in Vietnamese custody,” she said.

According to activists, Rinpoche was arrested on March 25 at his residence in Saigon, Vietnam, during a joint operation involving Vietnamese police and Chinese agents. He was transferred to a public security facility on March 28 and died the following day, March 29. The circumstances of his arrest and death have sparked serious concerns regarding transnational repression, human rights violations, and the extent of China’s extraterritorial influence.

Chodon emphasized the uncertainty surrounding his death: “That is exactly the question we’re asking. There needs to be a transparent and independent investigation by the Vietnamese government. What we know is that he was taken into custody by Vietnamese police and Chinese agents.”

The case has drawn international attention and raised alarms over cross-border security operations and the safety of exiled dissidents.